Reversible screw propeller operating mechanism



Oct. 24, 1944. SAHLE 2,360,982

REVERSIBLE SCREW PROPELLER OPERATING MECHANISM Filed July 3, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet} 0 LD 3 Q m\ n. h m M 111' Tr to H w L (0 Q 8 0 I. LO

E N m m m N rm mg N M N ISnventor ROLFE SAHLE (Ittorneg Oct. 24, 1944. s E 2,360,982

REVERSIBLE SCREW PROPELLER OPERATING MECHANISM Filed July 3, 1942- 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 2 3

as 43 4o 42 as 3' ilfimx 3g, 27 4| 27 8 3nnentor ROLFE SAHLE Gttomeg Oct. 24, 1944. R. SAHLE 2,360,982

REVERSIBLE SCREW PROPELLER OPERATING MECHANISM Filed July 5, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 j A L y I '0 m g N 1-- 3nventor ROLFE SAHLE attorneg Oct. 24, 1944. R. SAHLE 2,360,982

REVERSIBLE SCREW PROPELLER OPERATING MECHANISM Filed July 3, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 AHEAD ZSnventor ROLFE SAHLE (Ittorneg 1944- R. SAHLE 2,360,982

REVERSIBLE SCREW FROPELLER OPERATING MECHANISM Filed July 5, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig. 8

FEATHERING ZSnnentor ROLF E SAH LE.

1944. R. SAHLE 2,360,982

REVERSIBLE SCREW PROPELLER OPERATING MECHANISM Filed July 3, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet.6

l'mventor N ROLFE SAHLE d 3g Q I (at Gttomeg Oct. 24, 1944. R, SAHLE 2,360,982

REVERSIBLE SCREW- PROPELLER OPERATING MECHANISM Filed July 5, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 R0 LFE SAH LE WW.W-

(Ittorneg Oct. 24, 1944. r R. SAHLE 2,360,982

REVERSIBLE SCREW PROPELLER OPERATING MECHANISM I Filed July 5, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Fig. l4-

AHEAD IDLE ASTERN FEATHERING l57 I58 I5 m qz Ian 3maentor R0 L.F'E SAH LE WMEP W Gttorneg Patented Oct.'24, 1944 REVERSIBLE SCREW PROPELLER OPERATING MECHANISM Rolfe Sahle, York, Pa., asslgnor to S. Morgan Smith Company, York, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application July 3, 1942, Serial No. 449,550

- 3 Claims.

This invention relates to adjustable blade propellers, and more particularly to mechanism for operating the pitch-changing means of reversible screw propellers.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved reversible rotary blade propeller adapted to be directly connected with the power plant 01' engine of a boat for propelling the boat either ahead or astern" without the necessity of utilizing the usual clutch and transmission.

Another object of the invention is to provide a propeller of the type mentioned having improved means associated therewith for causing a positive and reliable movement in unison' of the propeller blades according to a simplified arrangement, so that the pilot .or operator can quickly change, at will, to any selected pitch or degree for ahead, idleff astem," or feathering position of the propeller blades.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved adjustable blade propeller in which the trunnion of each propeller blade is formed with a pinion having teeth in meshing relationship with the teeth of a rack bar, all of the rack bars being slidably mounted within the hub and being connected to a crosshead mounted on the end of an actuator or rod disposed within a hollow shaft adapted to be directly connected to'the shaft of an engine, the actuator rod being coupled to operating mechan'lsm'lo'cated in spaced relation to the hub and adapted to be actuated to move the actuator rod rectilinearly in the shaft by a reversible electric motor controlled by the pilot or operator. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved adjustable blade propeller, which affords dependability, free action of the control, compactness and lightness in weight, freedom from slippage, inexpensiveness in manufacture and installation, and in which added power is produced to the infinite variation that is obtainable in setting;

Another object of the invention isto provide an improved operating mechanism for adjustable blade propellers adapted tobe operated by a reversible electric motor directly connected to the blade operating mechanism and operable through the medium of remote control means.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved operating mechanism for adjustable blade propellers adapted tobe operated by a reversible electric motor and embodying a drum operatively connected to'the pitch-changing means for the propeller blades and adaptedto be moved axially with respect to the propeller in-either a direction toward the hub or in the opposite direction away from the hub when rotatedby the motor. a

Another object of the invention is to provide'an improved indicatingmechanism including a plurality of incandescent electric light bulbs, each adapted to indicate a specific position of the blades of an adjustable blade propeller. v

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved propeller blade positioning indicating system of the above type, in which means operatedby the mechanism for changing the pitch of the propeller blades are adapted to selectively control the circuits of the electric lamps.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved propeller blade posltionindicating system embodying a series of incandescent electric lamps, each lamp being adapted toindicate a specific position of the propeller blades, and an electric circuit for each lamp including a single switch member having a plurality of contact means, one contact being for each lamp circuit,

- respectively, and a movable electric switch memher actuated by the propeller blade pitch-changing mechanismdor. selectively closing each lamp circuit. I a

Other advantages of the invention result from the fact that the propeller always runs in the same direction, even when the direction of the ship is reversed. The speed of the ship can be controlled independently of the speed of the engine. The operator or pilot can controltheposb tion of the propeller blades whether theengine is idle or operating. The pitch or the propeller blades and the motion of the ship are adapted to be controlled solely by an electric switch conveniently mounted on a control board or panel handy for the operator or pilot.

With these and other objects in view the in-' vention consists in the construction and arrangements of parts hereinafter described andclaimed.

In the accompanying drawings;

Fig. l is a side elevation of an adjustable blade propeller embodying'the present invention; I Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section taken on theline2--2ofFig.l;

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1'; g

Fig. 4 is a vertical transversesection taken on thellnellofFlg.3; j

Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan-view of the propeller, with the deflector or cap removed from the hub,

the propeller blades being shown in the neutral or idle position;

' drauli'c turbines, pumps,

- vention is capable Fig. 6 is a view similar'to Fig. showing the propeller blade in an ahead position;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the propeller blade in an astern or reverse position; Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig.5 showing the propeller blade in a feathering position;

Fig. 9 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 1s a vertical longitudinal section on the propeller blade operating mechanism;

Fig. 11 is a vertical theline li-H ofFig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a vertical transverse the line i2-l2 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a diagrammaticview of the control system for the electric motor of the propeller blade operating mechanism-shown in Fig. 10; and 1 Fig. 14 is a horizontal section taken on the line "-44 of Fig. 10, showing the propeller blade position indicating mechanism. InFigs. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10, the parts areshown in the, idle or neutral position of the propeller section taken on blades.

While the structure hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings has 11 particularly designed for use on motor boats, shipsj'yachts and other types of marine vessels,

. it will beunderstood that the invention is also applicable to hydraulic machines, such as hyandjthe like, asweil as being adapted" for use with-wind driven impellers, airplane propellers, and'the like. In fact, the inof being adapted for use with all types ofrotors having adjustable blades.

Referringto the drawings" and especially to Figsi'l to, 9 inclusive, the adjustable blade pro peller comprises a'hub 2| having an end portion 22fadapted to be ccnnected to the flanged end 23 of ahollow shaft 24,'by means of bolts or machine screws 25 The hub 2! is preferably 'formed ofsuitable cast material, and the end of the hub opposite to the end 22 is formed with screw threads 24 for thereception of a capor "A suitable number of blades 21 are rotatabiy supported in the hub 2| of the propeller and projectradially therefrom. In the present instance three blades areshown; I s 1 The hub'll is formed with a longitudinal bore 23 which is located along the longitudinal center line of the shaft 24. The bore 23 extends through the main body of the hub, as shown in Fig. 3.

. Also formed in thehub 2| is a plurality of recesses orcavities 29, there being one recess for each blade 21. i

- The-recesses 29 are radially disposed with respect to thelongitudinal center line'of the hub, asshowninFiaz. I Each recess 29 iscomposedof three sections; namely, the inner section" which is indicated by the reference numeral 29 mifihich inner section is of small-diameter from the longitudinal bore 23 for a 1 suitable distance; second, the intermediate section 39, which is considerably largerin diameter. than the size ofthe innersection 29; and,;third, the outer section 3!, whichis somewhat: larger in diameter thanthe diameterof the intermediatese'ction'fl. 5 .3

Between thesections29. and 39, there is a shoulder or wall 32, and between'the sections 30 and 3|, thereis a shoulder or wall 33.

The inner end of each blade 2'! is providedwith aitrunnion 34 which is Journalled in the recess 29.

will be described The inner section of the trunnion designated by the reference numeral 34 is rotatably mounted in the inner section 23 of the recess, as shown I composed 01 two in Figs. 2'and 3.

The intermediate section of the trunnion is parts, namely, an inner portion formed with gear teeth and constituting a pinion 38. and a portion 39 of slightly greater diameter than the diameter of the pinion 39 so as to fit snugly and rotate within the recess 30. Both 1 thepinion 39 and the, portion 39 of the trunnion are disposed within recess, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. v

The outer portion 40 of the trunnion 34 which is adapted to be connected to the flange 39 of the blade 21 has a diameterslightly less than the maximum diameter of the trunnion so as and extends outwardly to provide a shoulder 4| which is adapted to aline substantially with the shoulder 33 when the parts are assembled.

T1 order to retain the trunnion 34 in position within the recess 29, a thrust ring 42 is provided. The ring 42 has an outer diameter corresponding substantially to the diameter of the recess It and an inner diameter corresponding substantially to the diameter of the portion 40 of the trunnion. When the propeller is being constructed the trunnion, without the blade 21, is mounted in the recess, then the thrust ring 42 is mounted in the space surrounding the outer portion 49 of the trunnion, said thrust ring being fixed in position in the section 3| of the recess ,blades 21 for inspection, repair or replacement,

this operationcan be readily-accomplished without detaching the, propeller fromthe shaft 24, by removing the screws 35.

When positioned in the recess 3|, the inner portion of the thrust ring 42 bears against the shoulder 4| and thus retains the trunnion in position within the hub. The thrust ring 42 also prevents outward movement of the blade and its trunnion resulting from centrifugal forces produced by the rotation of the propeller, as will be understood.

Formed lengthwise in the hub 2i is a plurality of openings 46 which are arranged in parallel relationship to the axial bore 23. Each opening 46 is so disposed in the hub as to intersect the portion of the recess39 in which the pinion 39 is disposed. In other words, for each recess 39 formed in the hub for a pinion 38 there is also formed in the hub an opening, and each opening 46 is located at one side of the axial center line of the trunnion.

Slidably mounted in each opening 49 is a .bar 41. having teeth 48 formed along one side thereof and in meshing relationship with the teeth of the pinion 38.

For operating all of the rack bars or toothed bars 41 as a unit so that all of the pinions 38 are rotated equal degrees simultaneously in the same direction to thus maintain the propeller blades 21 in exactly the same position, a suitable unitary means is provided, said means preferably comprising an actuator or rod 49 slidably' mounted in the bore 28 and terminating within the cap or deflector 26. The rod 49 has a crosshead or block 50 mounted on the end of the rod which is disposed within the cap 26, and each bar 41 is connected to the member 58, as indicated at Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

The bars 41 are guided by the openings 46, and the latter are so'constructed as to retain the teeth 'of said bars in meshing relationship with the teeth of the pinions 38, respectively,'at all times.

The actuator or red 49 extends through the shaft 24 and is adapted to be actuated by suitable mechanism, such as the mechanism shown in Fig.

Adapted to 'be connected or coupled directly to the shaft of an internal combustion engine or other type of power plant having a rotatable shaft, is a shaft 56 which is adapted to have its other end connected to the shaft 24 by a suitable coupling 51.

The shaft 56 is formed with a longitudinal bore 58 which constitutes a continuation of the bore in the shaft 24.

The rod 49 extends through the shaft 24, passes through the coupling 51, and terminates at a suitable point intermediate the ends of the shaft 56. 7,

Fixed to the end of the rod 49 which terminates within the shaft.56, is a block 59. The block 59 is slidably mounted in the bore 58 and is formed with a transverse opening 68 for a pin or rod 6|.

The shaft 56 is formed with alined slots 62 having a width to receive the pin or rod 6|.

Encircling the slotted portion of the shaft 58 is a sleeve 63 having a length somewhat greater than the length of the slots 62. I

Mounted on the sleeve 63 is a collar 64.

The rod 6| is of suflicientlength to pass diametrically through the shaft 56, the sleeve 63, and the collar 64. The ends of the rod 6| are upset, as shown in Fig. 10, so that said rod will be held from lengthwise movement thereof with respect to the collar.

Enclosing the major portion of the shaft 56 is a casing 65 having a base portion 66 by which said casing can be mounted on a suitable support (not shown).

One end of the casing 65 is closed by means of a coverplate 81, and the other end of the casing is closed by means of a cover plate 68. The cover plate 61 is detachably secured to the end of the casing 65 by bolts 69 and the cover plate 88 is likewise secured to the opposite end of the casing by bolts 18.

The cover plate 61 is formed with an opening H through which the shaft 56 extends, said opening being somewhat larger in diameter thanthe diameter of the shaft.

Arranged on the inside of the cover plate 61 and surrounding the openin II, is a flange 12 which provides a pocket for a ballbearing 13- mounted on the shaft 56. I

Enclosing the-outer portion of the ball bearing 13, is a ring or cover 14 which is detachably connected to the outer face of the cover plate 61 by screws or bolts 15.

In order to seal the joint between the inner periphery of the ring 14 and the exterior of the shaft 56, a seal 16 is mounted in the ring.

The cover plate 68 is formed with an opening through which the shaft 56 extends, said opening being somewhat larger in diameter than the diameter of said shaft. 4

The end portion of the casing 65 adjacent to the end having the cover plate 68 is formed with a portion 18 constituting means for receiving a pair of ball bearings 19. The inner end of the portion 18 is formed with an annular flange 88 which prevents the bearings 19 from moving longitudinally inwardly of the casing. Outward ion. gitudinal movement of the bearings 18 is pre vented by the cover plate 68 which engages the outer ring or shell of said bearings and a disk 8| which is mounted on a threaded portion 82 of the shaft 56 in alinement with the cover plate 68 and engages the inner shell or ring of said bearings.

The disk 8| rotates with the shaft 58 and since the cover plate 68 is stationary, in order to seal the joint between said disk and said cover plate, a sealing ring 83 is provided.

Encircling the collar 84 and arranged in spaced relation to said collar is a drum 84, formed on its exterior with screw threads 88 which are in threaded engagement with screw threads 81 formed in the casing65.

One end of the drum 84 inwardly extending flange 88, of the drum is formed with jecting flange 89.

The sleeve 63 has an outwardly projecting flange 90 formed on one end in al-inement with the flange 88.

A ball bearing 9| which encircles the sleeve 68 is mounted in the space between the collar 84 and the flanges 88 and 98. e

The end of the drum 84 opposite to the end having the bearing 9| carries a gear 92, said gear being secured to the flange 89 by screws or bolts 93. The gear 92 is formed with an opening 94 which is concentric with the gear and through which he shaft 58 passes. The diameter of the opening 94 and the arrangement of the gear on the drum 84 is such that a flange 95 is provided. v 1

A ball bearing 98, similar to the bearing 9|, encircles the sleeve' 63, and is mounted in the space between the collar 64 and the flange 95, said flange 95 engaging the outer ring or shell of said bearing 96. A disk 91, which is mounted on a screw threaded portion 98 of the sleeve 83 in alinement with the flange 85, engages the inner shell or ring of the bearing 98.

Rotation of the shaft 56 is imparted by the pin or rod 6| to the sleeve 83 and also to the collar 64, so that these elements turn with the drive shaft 56.. On the other hand, normally, the drum 84 does not rotate, and, therefore, it is the'purpose of the m'arings 9| and 98 to permit free rotation of the sleeve 68 and the collar 84 with respect to the normally stationary drum 84.

For the purpose of operating-the gear 92, in the present embodiment'of the invention an elec. tric motor |9| is provided. The motor "H, can be secured to a wall I02 of the casing 85, as shown in Figs. 1 and 10.

Since the gear 92 is adapted to be rotated first in one direction and then in the opposite direction, the motor |0| should be any suitable is formed with an and the other end an outwardly protype of reversible electric motor.

The armature of the motor |9| has a shaft I03 which projects into the interior oi the casing between the wall I02 and the cover plate 61.

Slidablymounted on the shaft I03 is a pinion I04 which has teeth in meshing relationship with the teeth of the gear 92.

The shaft I03 carries an elongated key I05 so that rotationof said shaft is imparted to the pinion I04. V V

In order to retain the pinion I04 in alinement with the gear 92, each side of the pinion carries a ring I06. The rings I06 have suflicient diameter so as to engage the outer peripheral portion of the gear 92. During the operation 01' the device, rotation of the gear 92 turns the threaded drum 84 either inwardly or outwardlywith respect 'to the threaded portion 81 of the casing 65, and consequently the gear 92, the collar 64, and the rod 49, as well as the drum 84, are all moved longitudinally either in one direction or in the other direction with respect to the shaft 56. This longitudinal shifting movement of the gear 92 is also imparted by the rings I06 to-the pinion I04, so that said gear and said pinion are thus retained bythe rings I06 in the same relative position at all times.

The complete operation of the apparatus will be hereinafter more fully described.

For the purpose'of efiecting operation of the electric motor IN, a suitable control system has been provided, as shown in Fig. 13.

The motor control system comprises a double pole snap switch device III having a normally open movable contact member I I2.

A single source of supply of electric energy, such as a storage battery H3, has one terminal connected-to a ground I I4, by a wire I I5, and connected to the other terminal of said battery is a wire II6 which is connected to a junction I I1.

The junction H1 is connected to another junction II9,byawire II9.

Thejunction H3 is connected to a contact I of the switch III, by a wire I2I, said junction being'also connected to a contact I22 01 the switch III,byawireI23.

Another contact I25 of the switch III is connected by a wire I24 to one terminal of a solenoid coil I26.

The other terminal of the coil I26 is connected to a ground I21, by awire I23.

Another contact I29 oi theswitch III is connected by a wire I30 to one terminal of a solenoid coil I3I.

The other terminal of the coil I3I is connected toaground I32, by a wire I33.

Operated by the solenoid coil I24 is a switch comprising a plunger I34 carrying a contact I35, and a pair of fixed contacts I36 and I31 adapted to be connected by the movable contact I when thecoil I26isenergized. I

The fixed contact I36 is connected to terminal I36oi'themotor lIII,byawirejI39.

The fixed contact I31 is connected to a junction I40 by awire MI, and the junction I40 is connected to the Junction 1 bya wire I42.

Operated by the solenoid coil I3I is a switch comprising the solenoid plunger I43, carrying a contact I44, said switch also including a pair of fixed contacts I and I49 adapted to be connected by the" movable contact I44 when the coil III is energized.

The fixed contact I45 is connected to a terminal I" of the motor IOI, by a wire I43.

The fixed contact I49 is connected to the lunction I40,by awire I49.

The third terminal I50 of the motor MI is connected to a ground I5I, by a wire I52.

The solenoid switch I35 is adapted to control an electric circuit by which current is supplied to the motor IM to operate said motor to efiect operation of the blade actuating mechanism in the direction in which the propeller blades 2.1 are turned towards ahead position, and the solenoid switch I44 is adapted to control an electric circuit by which current is supplied to the motor IOI so that said motor is operated in the reverse direction to thereby effect operation of the blade actuating mechanism in the direction in which the propeller blades 21 are turned towards "astern position.

Assuming that the propeller is installed on the end of the propeller shaft of a marine vessel, such as a boat, ship or yacht, and that the blades of the propeller are disposed in the neutral or idle position shown in Figs. 1 and 5, and that the boat is moored and its power plant or engine idle, when it is desired to get the boat in motion, the engine is first started, and since the engine is directly connected to the propeller by the shafts 56 and 2 4, the propeller will be rotated by the engine, but no motion wil1 be produced by the propeller that will move the boat either ahead or astern. Thus, due to the position of the blades in the position shown in Fig. 5, the'blades merely cut the water as the propeller rotates, and the engine can be operated at predetermined operating speed.

Should it now be desired to move the boat backwardly out of a slip, the pilot or operator operatesv the movable contact II2 of the switch I I I to connect contacts I20 and I29.

When the coil I3I is deenergized, the solenoid plunger I43 will be down so that the movable contact I44 will be disconnected from the fixed contacts I45 and I46.

Operation of the switch member II2 to the position in which contact I20 is connected to'contact I29, closes the electric circuit through which the solenoid coil I3I is energized from the storage battery H3, through wires H6, H9 and I2I, switch member II2, wire I30, coil I3I, and wire I33, to the ground I32.

When the solenoid coil I3I is energized the movable contact I44 connects the fixed contacts I45 and I46, thereby closing the circuit through which the reverse windings of the electric motor IOI are supplied with electric energy from the storage battery II3, through wires 6, I42 and I49, contact I44, and wire I48 to the motor terminal I41, and from the motor terminal I 50, through wire I52 to the ground I5I.

The electric motor IOI then operates in the direction in which the drum 84 is rotated by the pinion I04 and the gear 92 so that said drum is unscrewed or moved in the direction of the arrow A, Fig. 10, with respect to the casing 63.

Thelongitudinal or axial movement oi. the drum 34 is transmitted by the collar and the pin or rod 6| to the block 59, so that the rod 49 is also moved axially within the shafts 66 and 24 .in the same direction as the axial movement or the drum 84 and for a corresponding distance.

The rectilinear 0r axial movement of the rod 49 is efiective to impart a corresponding move-- ment to the rack bars or toothed bars 41, and consequently the pinions 38 are rotated in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 7, sothat the propeller blades 21 are turned from the idle or crosswise position shown in Fig. 5 toward the reverse or astern position shown inFig. '7.

After the propeller bladesjfl havebeen tomes to the desired asternor reverse ,position, the

switch member II2 issnapped. back to its open position of the switch,,thereby openingthe 'circult through which the solenoidcoil isenergized. Y

The plunger I then moves the contact I out orensagement from the contacts 145 and no, Y

thereby opening the circuit through which the the storagebattery lit. ,The motor IIlI then ceases to operate and consequently th drum as,

ceases to turn outwardly in the direction oithe arrow A, Fig. 10. The operating. mechanism for turning the propellerblades 2] will .remain stationary and in the position-now set, as the result of the operation the motor IIII, as described. I

In accomplishing the above operation, in order motor IIiI .is supplied with electric energyfrom to set the propeller blades in thefastern" or the 1 reverse position. it is to be understood that the engine which drives the shafts 56 and 24 is main-- teined at one operating speed or R. P. M. .Thus,

the speedo! the engine is set at a constant num-,

ber of R.'P. M. and the speed at which it is desired to propel the boat is determined'bythe position or angle at which the propeller bladesl'l are disposed.

After the ship has moved asternthedesireddistance. and when it is desired to have the ship move ahead. the pilot or. operator turns the switch member II! to thepcsition in which thecontacts In and I2! are connected. This closes the. circuit through which the solenoid coil I26 is;

energized from the storage battery lit, through wires II, Hi, and l2I.;switch H2, wireIIL-coil iihandwire iiht'otheground I21. 1

when the solenoid coil I28 isenergized, the

center line of the hub 2|. 5

peller blades" besdisposed in. the position shown in Fig. 6, and it is desired to set the blades in a.

from the contacts I36 and I31, therebyb i g the circuit throughwhich the motor Illl is sup plied with electricenergy from the storage bat tery H8. The motor then ceases to operateand conseguently the longitudinal shiftingmovement thrust transmitted,from the propellerblades 21,

through the pinions 38, rack bars 41, crosshead 50, operating rod 49, pin or rod 6 I, to the collar 64.

The purpose of the bearing s'l9istogtakevthe thrust in either the ahead or the astern motion of the ship.

It willbe noted by reierring to Figs. 5, -6,' l, 8'

and 10,. that the mechanism for adjusting the pitch, or the propeller blades 21 is designed to turn-the blades from a featheringfiposition. shown in Fig.;.8, through an angle vof approximately 180 degrees to another feathering position which can be obtained were thepropeller blades turned further-in the .directionof the ahead position shown in Fig.6 toa position.

correspondin substantially with the-longitudinal feathering position, the switch-II I can be opmovable contact :I" connects the fixed contacts direction in which the drum 8! is rotated. by the pinion IM and the gear 92 so that said drum is screwed or moved into the threaded portion of the-casing it. in the direction Fig. 10. .g

The longitudinalor axial movement oi: the drain it is trsnsmittedto the rod "inthe manner horetoiore. dsscribed, so that the rod 48 is of the arrow B,

also moved axially within the-shafts It and 24,

in thesame direction as theaxialmovement oi the drum N, andior a corresponding distance.

The axial movement oithe rod" imparts a corresponding movement to the rack; bars or toothed bars 41'. so that the plnlons 88 are *rotated-in the direction oi the arrow. Fig. ,6. The

propellerblades. 21 are thusturned i'rom a posi-v tion, such as the position shown in Fig. (towards a "forward" or .ahead position, suchas the position shown in Fig. 6. In moving from. an

"sstcrn" position toward an "ahead '-position the propeller: blades move past the idle orneutral' position. shown in Fig. Ii. and as soon as the pitch oi the blades passes the idle position, driving power for moving the boat "ahead' willbe had.

After the propeller blades 21 have been turned to the desired "ahead" or "torward" position. the

switch member II! of the switch Illis'snapped back to its open position, therebyopening the circuit through which the solenoid coil III is enersised. so that the coil lit is deenersized. The

erated toeifect rotation of the propeller blades in the direction or the arrow: Fig. 6, until such propeller blades are-in a feathering position.-

On the other hand, should it be desired to turn the propeller blades to a feathering pov sition, when such blades are in the freverse, po-

sition, such as the position shown in Fig. 7, then the switch II2 can be operated to effect the po- 1 sitioning of .the propeller bladesin the feather ing" position shown in Fig. 8. .s

The ifeatherihgf position of the priiipeller. .v blades .is usually employed when the device is installed with auxiliary power of sailing yachts.

When yachts are under sail it is, desirable to set the propeller blades in a ifeathering" position so as to reduce the frictional resistance of they propeller as much as possible. s,

When so desired, means may be provided ior visibly indicating to the pilot or operator the po% sition of the propeller blades, Inactualpracticej, it has been found desirableto locatejthe push button switches III and II2 atfa point within easy reach of the pilot or operator. j Also located a at a point easily visible'by the pilotior operator may be an instrument panel on .whichlis placed suitable "propeller blade position indicating means, such as the incandescent lamps shown inf Fig. 14. v v In the embodiment of the invention herelnde scribed the propeller blade position indicating means includes fourincandescent electric lamps I56;- I51, I58 and IFS-which, respectively "are-' adapted to indicate the ahead,"idle, astern,"

positions 1 or {the propeller and feathering" blades.

The lamps I56, I51,

actuated. therebyya Y plunger i3! then moves the contact I35 Laway Thus, should the pro- I58 and I59 are adapted to be selectively and separatelyilluminatedauto-,

matic'ally by mechanism operatively connected? 1 to the propeller-blade operating mechanismand ama IGI'formed on thecover plate 61 of the operat v ing niechanism'cas n iii'."

Thelunger oi-- movable contactjarm lea s arranged forsliding movements parallel with the longitudinal center line of'th'e shaftli, said arm I having anfinnerend formed with a flange m. r

ThebossdiI isformed withanouter opening a 1ssvtmrisnu 1ynt the plunger or contact arm I60 and inwardly of the, opening-Iflfthe boss" is formed-with an enlarged elongated open ng- 6| which'encircles the plunger I60.f

" which constitutes acavity' for al coil spring; I65,

One end ofthe spring I65 bears against the flangef'l 62 'arld'the other end of said spring bears against the wall cavity I; i4?

ts; at the outer gees of; t e

The inner-end =6: the plunger eo is [provided with-"suitable anti friction ba1lIj1,' I I The construction of the parts is 'such'that the means, -"such' as a I 120 spring I maintains the ball I51, incontactwith" the outenface of the-gear 92 st; all times, iconsequentlygany movement of the drum 8! lengthwise with respect to the shaft'lii, effects a cone sponding rectilinear movement I60 in-the same direction;

Fixed to' the stationary casing '85, or, as shown in Fig. 1d, fixed :tothecover plate-61 and projecting outwardlyfromsaid cover in 'parallel re lationship to the'plunger ISO; is abar I10, pref erably formed of-suitable f'electrical insulating I .materiaL- Mounted in'thebar I10 is aplurality of con The Contact I1I-iselctrically connected-to the a electrician!) 155 by a-wire ilfifandth c'ontacts 112;413; and Ill-are likewise" connected and I18, respectively.

I The wires m,- l16,'l11'and' m are connected to one'terminal of the lamps I55; I51, I58 and I59, respectively,"'arid the other terminals of said lamps are connected to; grounds -I19, I80, I8I

Carriedby the -"o'ueij e s er the ha e" m; is a contact I81'which is urged into engagement f with'the several 'contacts on the bar I10 by a) coil 'spring'IBB. V V v .The' contact I81 is electrically connected in any suitable manner by a wirejIBil' to one terminal of a"storagebattery I801; The othertermirial; of, the'storage battery. iglii is connected to 'rder to retain the plunger I to in position so v thatjthe contact' I8'I' will alwaysbe infposl-f Q plunger I6| i niayfbe iormedfwith a longitudinal slot "I68 for boss lei.

sta i k iife'a sdh the g The electric lam ss, I51, IFS; and as; I h b ie d fie e aqo p i t hen eis u tionto engage;the contactsofithe bar 110,1 the l m mumm fied e le er i ter a l 1 determine fromjthe color the relative position of the propeller b ades Also the panel'on which said lamps areznounted can be providedwith suit able indicia to designate the respective positions, 1,

of the propelleribladeswhich thelamps indicate.

when the parts are in theidle'fpo'sition shown in 14; which-position corresponds'to the POE-v sitionshown-in Figs.,1,:5.and 10, contact I81 will T engage contact. I12, thereby closing the. electric circuit from theg's't'orage battery ISO-to the lamp lfiLisothatsaid'lamp'lflwillbeilluiminated and thus indicate that the propeller blades are in the neutral-or idle position. I

When the drum a4 is actuated n the manner" heretofore described tochangethepitch of the propellerblade's, the contact I81-will -be moved" away fromthe-contact I12 and into "engagement with either'of the other 'contacts'il I, I13 or m,

therebyclosi'ng the electrical circuit-to the lamps I56," |58or I59,respective1y',' so'that'one of said lamps isiilluminated. In this-way means-have provided for visibly indicatingthe respec tiveposltions of the propeller blades. r

The control system' for the motor 1 I! I- herein before described, is claimed in my copending ap-.

1&5

Having thus described my invention, what! plication Se'rialNo. 449,377,fflled'.7u1y'2, 1942..

claimisz-y 1. propeller comprising ahollow shaft, a huh on-said shaft, a plurality of bladesrotatablycarried bysaid hub, pitch-changingmeans oper-,

atively. connected with said blades and including an actuator rod: movable longitudinally twithin said hub and saidshaft, a casing surrounding said shaft and having an internally 'sc'rewl threaded'portion arranged concentrically in spaced relation to saidshaft, a drum having-exterior screw threads engaging said internally threaded casing, means 'operatively connecting said drum with said .actuatorrod-whereby said shaft and said actuator rod are freeto rotate;

' with respect to said'i-drum; *said drumbeing adapted to be turned either-inwardly or outwardly with'respect to said threadedportion of said casingetothereby impart'lon itudinal movement of the actuatorrod so as to change the pitch of said propeller blades, 9. gearfixed :to'an end of said drum for rotating said'drum, a'reversible electric motor havingan'el'ongated shaft operated bysaid motor, a pinion slidably'mounted on said motor shaft and having teeth in meshing relationship with the teeth of said gear andimeanscarned by said pinion and engageable with said. gear whereby longitudinal movement-ofithe gearLis transmitted to said pinion so as to maintain said pinion alined with said gear at all'times;

2. A -propeller comprising a hollow shaft, a hub on"s'aidshaft, a plurality of bladesrotatably carried by said hub, pitch-changing means operatively connected'with said blades and including-1 I an actuator rod extending longitudinally within 'said shaft, a casing surrounding said shaft, bearings carried b'y said casing for rotatably supporting said shaft, aninternally-screw threaded portion formed within said casing and arranged J concentricallysin spaced relation to saidshaft, a drumjhaving'scr'ewthreads engaging said internally threaded-casing, saiddrum being adapted to be turned either inwardly or outwardly with end 7 portion of said actuator trod, a pin: carried by said actuator rod and'disposed in said slot and operatively', connected with ':'said=asleeve,,- a gear fixed to anpend'of: said drumi forirotating the I drum, a reversibleimotor, and-a pinion carried by the motor 'shaft-andhaving teeth in meshing re lationship Wlthiflle teeth or said .gear, said-motor said shaft and havin an internally screw threaded portion arranged concentrically in spaced relation to said shaft, a drum having exterior screw threads engaging said internally threaded casing, means operatively connecting said drum with said actuator rod whereby said shaft and said actuator rod are free to rotate with respect to said drum, said drum being adapted to be turned either inwardly or outwardly with respect to said threaded portion of said casing to thereby impart longitudinal movement of the actuator rod so as to change the pitch of said propeller blades, a gear fixed to an end of said drum for rotating said drum, means for operating said gear for moving said drum longitudinally within the casing to actuate the pitch-changing means to turn said propeller blades, a plunger slidably mounted within the casing and having one end in engagement with a face of said gear, the other end of said plunger projecting outwardly through an end wall of the casing, means for retaining the end of said plunger in engagement with the face of said gear at all times, a plurality of electric lamps, each lamp being adapted to indicate a specific position of said blades, an electric circuit for each lamp and including a bar rigidly connected with said casing and carrying a plurality of contacts, each contact being adapted to be electrically connected with a lamp, and means on said plunger for engaging said contacts for selectively connecting each lamp contact with a source of electric energy whereby a single lamp will be illuminated when the propeller blades are disposed in a predetermined position.

ROLFE SAHLE. 

